In Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen explores the social classes of Georgian England through her portrayal of characters from different backgrounds. The novel presents a society in which class and wealth are highly valued, and social mobility is difficult to achieve. The story revolves around the Bennet family, who belong to the lower gentry class, and their interactions with the wealthy landowners like Mr. Darcy. This essay will examine how Austen portrays the different classes in society in Pride and Prejudice.
The novel’s opening sentence, “It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife,” sets the tone for the novel’s exploration of the social classes. Marriage is presented as an economic transaction rather than a romantic union, and social status is a primary concern for characters throughout the novel.
The Bennet family is presented as belonging to the lower gentry class. Mr. Bennet is a gentleman who owns a small estate, and his wife, Mrs. Bennet, is from a lower social class. The Bennets have five daughters, and their lack of a male heir puts them in a vulnerable position, as their estate will pass to a distant male relative if Mr. Bennet dies without a son. The Bennet family’s financial situation is precarious, and their social status is not secure, as they do not have enough wealth or connections to secure good marriages for their daughters.
The novel portrays the lower gentry class as having a certain charm and warmth, but also as lacking in refinement and manners. The Bennet family is portrayed as being somewhat vulgar, with Mrs. Bennet’s obsession with marrying off her daughters and Lydia and Kitty’s frivolous behavior at the Netherfield ball. However, the Bennet family is also presented as having a certain amount of wit and intelligence, particularly in the characters of Elizabeth and Mr. Bennet.
In contrast to the Bennet family, Mr. Darcy and his family belong to the landed gentry class. Mr. Darcy is a wealthy landowner with a large estate in Derbyshire, and his family is well-connected and respected in society. The novel portrays the landed gentry class as having refinement, education, and manners, but also as being proud and snobbish. Mr. Darcy is initially presented as aloof and disdainful of the Bennet family, and his behavior towards Elizabeth is seen as a reflection of his pride and snobbery.
The novel explores the tension between the landed gentry class and the lower gentry class, particularly through the relationship between Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy. Elizabeth is initially prejudiced against Mr. Darcy because of his perceived arrogance and pride. However, as she gets to know him better, she realizes that her prejudice was unfounded, and she begins to appreciate his virtues and intelligence. Mr. Darcy, in turn, recognizes Elizabeth’s wit and intelligence and begins to admire her. Their eventual union is seen as a triumph over the societal norms that dictate that individuals should only marry within their social class.
The novel also portrays the upper class as having a certain emptiness and lack of purpose. The Bingley sisters, who belong to the upper class, are presented as superficial and obsessed with social status. Their behavior towards Jane Bennet, who they see as being beneath them, is cruel and callous. The novel suggests that the pursuit of wealth and status can lead to a lack of empathy and a loss of moral values.
Another aspect of the novel to explore is the role of gender in defining social class. In Georgian England, women were generally seen as inferior to men and were expected to marry well in order to secure their future. This is evident in the novel through the character of Charlotte Lucas, who marries Mr. Collins despite his unpleasant personality and lack of charm, solely for financial security. Charlotte’s decision to marry Mr. Collins is a reflection of the limited options available to women of the lower gentry class.
The novel also explores the impact of inheritance laws on social class. The Bennet family’s lack of a male heir puts them in a vulnerable position, as their estate will pass to a distant male relative if Mr. Bennet dies without a son. This highlights the importance of inheritance laws in defining social class and the limitations that they impose on individuals.
Another point that could be added is the impact of social class on relationships. In the novel, characters from different social classes are often unable to form romantic relationships due to the societal norms that dictate that individuals should only marry within their social class. This is evident in the relationship between Mr. Bingley and Jane Bennet, which is threatened by the difference in their social status. Mr. Bingley’s sisters, who belong to the upper class, disapprove of his relationship with Jane and do everything they can to prevent it from progressing.
Finally, the novel portrays the lower classes as being dependent on the upper classes for their livelihoods. The character of Mr. Collins, who is a clergyman, is dependent on Lady Catherine de Bourgh for his livelihood. This highlights the power imbalance between the upper and lower classes and the limitations that this imposes on individuals from the lower classes.
In conclusion, Pride and Prejudice provides a detailed examination of the different classes in society in Georgian England. The novel portrays the lower gentry class as having charm and warmth, but lacking refinement and manners, while the landed gentry class is presented as having refinement and education, but also as being proud and snobbish. The novel explores the tension between these two classes and the impact that social class has on relationships and livelihoods. Overall, Pride and Prejudice provides a nuanced exploration of the social classes in Georgian England and their impact on individuals’ lives.